[ScottG]

Originally Posted by Deadman1

Yep, you called it Scott! I stopped in the local Wally World this afternoon to pick up some stuff for an oil change. Low and behold there was one lone box of Winchester 71 gr FMJ's sitting on the shelf. The price was $18.89, don't know if that was good but I grabbed it. I'm good to go!

That's about the price I paid for a box of Remington 71gr. Found a few bricks of .22 and one, only one box of .30 Carbine.... If only I had the money for that. Prolly be gone when I get paid thursday.

[Deadman1]

And here's quick range report on the 1903 Colt .32 Auto. I loaded the antique mag up with seven rounds of the 71 gr Winchester FMJ's, for starters. The mag actually holds eight but I didn't want to put undue stress on the 90 year old spring. I then stepped off seven yards from the base of my favorite shooting tree. I won't say much except; Mr. Browning was a fairly intellegent individule for his time.




I set up a fresh target then reloaded the Colt's mag and stepped off 14 yards.



The 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless functioned flawlessly, I ran a total of 35 rounds thru it with zero FTF's, no jams or even the slightest reason for concern. I have a new found respect for this antique pistol.

The last four rounds I fired directly into a large seasoned piece of Hickory in hopes to dig a bullet out to see how well the .32 ACP penetrated. Well I found that the .32 ACP is very adequate. I gave up before recovering a bullet as I didn't want to break the tip off the blade of my pocket knife. In conclusion; I also have a new found respect for the .32 ACP! Go ahead and laugh if you like.

[ScottG]

I'm not laughing. I love mine. There were so many pistols manufactured chambered in that round that I think we've lost sight of how effective a round it can be. All the big calibers have taken away the spotlight from this round. All the insecure guys want the biggest baddest round and denigrate this classic. I'll take all the .32ACPs these guys don't want....

[Dcomf]

Originally Posted by ScottG

I'm not laughing. I love mine. There were so many pistols manufactured chambered in that round that I think we've lost sight of how effective a round it can be. All the big calibers have taken away the spotlight from this round. All the insecure guys want the biggest baddest round and denigrate this classic. I'll take all the .32ACPs these guys don't want....

Ask the Stasi how many the 7.65 has killed.

[CA357]

Excellent! I'm glad you like it and that it's a good shooter. Enjoy that rascal.

[ALSGUN]

Nice little pistol, use to have one, stolen years ago... miss it
looks like in good condition, congrats and enjoy

[superc]

These things are great fun. I have had several in my time. The first check is to take the slide off and be absolutely sure there is no movement of a cocked hammer with the safety on, then make sure that with the safety off there is no hammer movement with the trigger pulled but the grip safety left untouched. Towards the last three decades of production there was also a magazine safety to check. Tests passed, in all of mine I have done complete Wolff spring set replacements. In every instance the original springs had taken compression sets over the past 80+ years.

There is a gentleman named Dale Woody in WA who restores corroded lettering on these things. The one pictured here is in his shop as we speak. I'll Novak sight mine when it comes back. They are very efficient pistols and we were all made poorer by Colt's decision to stop making them after WW2. By all means, please put those grips in the fire pit with the other rubbish and get some of the proper ones.

[Monster118]

I recently received a colt 1903 colt .32 type II pistol. The serial number is 72535. This really is a neat gun. I have fired it and it is fairly accurate. Actually it is quite accurate! In addition I have field stripped it and cleaned it a few times.

Recently I have noticed that the slide is not very smooth when pulling it back. It seems to be "catching up" on something. I am wondering since the recoil spring is slightly bent and who knows how old it is; could it be causing this little catch. Or is there some other internal piece that may be causing this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Boyerracing343]

Nice pick up, i like it.